Method and apparatus for intelligent acquisition of position information

ABSTRACT

Improved methods and systems for position acquisition and/or monitoring are disclosed. The position acquisition and/or monitoring can be performed with improved intelligence so that data acquisition, transmission and/or processing is reduced. As a result, the position acquisition and/or monitoring is able to be performed in a power efficient manner.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of: (i) U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/444,198, filed Jan. 30, 2003, and entitled “SYSTEM,METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ACQUIRING, PRESENTING, MONITORING, DELIVERING,MANAGING AND USING STATUS INFORMATION,” which is hereby incorporatedherein by reference; (ii) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.60/418,491, filed Oct. 15, 2002, and entitled “SYSTEM, METHOD ANDAPPARATUS FOR ACQUIRING, PRESENTING, MONITORING, DELIVERING, MANAGINGAND USING STATUS INFORMATION,” which is hereby incorporated herein byreference; (iii) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/404,645,filed Aug. 19, 2002, and entitled “SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS FORACQUIRING, PRESENTING, MONITORING, DELIVERING, MANAGING AND USINGPOSITION AND OTHER INFORMATION,” which is hereby incorporated herein byreference; and (iv) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/375,998,filed Apr. 24, 2002, and entitled “SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS FORACQUIRING, PRESENTING, MANAGING AND USING POSITION INFORMATION,” whichis hereby incorporated herein by reference.

This application is also related to: (i) U.S. patent application Ser.No. 10/397,472, filed Mar. 26, 2003, and entitled “METHODS AND APPARATUSTO ANALYZE AND PRESENT LOCATION INFORMATION;” (ii) U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/397,637, filed Mar. 26, 2003, and entitled“METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING SHIPMENT TRACKING AND NOTIFICATIONS;”(iii) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/397,641, filed Mar. 26, 2003,and entitled “METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PERSONALIZED MEDICAL MONITORING ANDNOTIFICATIONS THEREFOR;” (iv) U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/397,640, filed Mar. 26, 2003, and entitled “INEXPENSIVE POSITIONSENSING DEVICE;” (v) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/397,474, filedMar. 26, 2003, and entitled “METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ENHANCED MESSAGING;”(vi) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/397,512, filed Mar. 26, 2003,and entitled “APPLICATIONS OF STATUS INFORMATION FOR INVENTORYMANAGEMENT.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to position detection and, moreparticularly, to improved techniques for acquisition of positioninformation.

2. Description of the Related Art

Position determining devices have become popular for motor vehicle orvessel navigation. Typically, these devices utilize the globalavailability of Global Positioning Systems (GPS). These device can bededicated to particular vehicles or vessels. More recently, theseposition determining devices (often known as GPS receivers) have becomeportable.

Unfortunately, these devices, if standalone, are battery operated andnot typically designed to be able to monitor position over a longduration of time. More particularly, because these devices requirefrequent radio-frequency communications, computational processing andinformation display, they consume large amounts of power and thus theirbattery life is limited. Also, these devices remain relatively expensiveand have a relatively large form factor.

As a result, conventional position determining devices are not suitablefor use in many applications due to their power consumption. Thus, thereis a need for position determining devices that have reduced powerconsumption. It would be further advantageous if position determiningdevices were smaller and less expensive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Broadly speaking, the invention relates to improved methods and systemsfor position acquisition and/or monitoring. The position acquisitionand/or monitoring can be performed with improved intelligence so thatdata acquisition, transmission and/or processing is reduced, whichprovides improved power efficiency.

According to one embodiment of the invention, a portable positionacquisition apparatus can include one or more components that have alow-power state which can be used to reduce power consumption of theposition acquisition apparatus. According to another aspect of theinvention, the position acquisition can be performed dependent on one ormore of motion information, at least one battery level characteristic ofa battery, and a change in position. According to still another aspectof the invention, the acquired position information can be transmittedto a remote device (e.g., central server) dependent on one or more ofmotion information, at least one battery level characteristic of abattery, and a change in position. According to still yet another aspectof the invention, a portable, battery-powered position acquisitionapparatus is used to acquire position information and a solar panelprovides electrical charge to its battery.

The invention can be implemented in numerous ways including, a method,system, device, apparatus, and a computer readable medium. Severalembodiments of the invention are discussed below.

As a portable position acquisition apparatus, one embodiment of theinvention includes at least: a position detection unit that detectsposition information pertaining to the position acquisition apparatus; amemory that stores the position information; a motion monitoring unitthat monitors motion of the position acquisition apparatus; and acontroller operatively connected to the position detection unit, thememory and the motion monitoring unit, the controller dynamicallydetermines how frequent the position information is reacquired by theposition detection unit based on at least the motion identified by themotion monitoring unit.

As a portable position acquisition apparatus, another embodiment of theinvention includes at least: a battery for providing power to theposition acquisition apparatus, the battery have a battery levelcharacteristic; a position detection unit that detects positioninformation pertaining to the position acquisition apparatus; a memorythat stores the position information; and a controller operativelyconnected to the battery, the position detection unit, and the memory,the controller dynamically determines how frequent the positioninformation is reacquired by the position detection unit based on atleast the battery level characteristic of the battery.

As a portable position acquisition apparatus, still another embodimentof the invention includes at least: a position detection unit thatdetects position information pertaining to the position acquisitionapparatus; a memory that stores the position information; acommunication interface that enables the position acquisition apparatusto transmit the position information to a remote device; and acontroller operatively connected to the position detection unit, thememory and the communication interface, the controller determineswhether the position information acquired by the position detection unitis to be transmitted to the remote device via the communicationinterface based on whether the position information substantiallydiffers from prior position information.

As a portable position acquisition apparatus, still another embodimentof the invention includes at least: a battery for providing power to theposition acquisition apparatus; a solar panel operatively connected tothe battery to provide electrical change to the battery; a positiondetection unit that detects position information pertaining to theposition acquisition apparatus; a memory that stores the positioninformation; a communication interface that enables the positionacquisition apparatus to transmit the position information to a remotedevice; and a controller operatively connected the position detectionunit, the memory and the communication interface, the controllercontrols acquisition of the position information via the positiondetection unit as well as transmission of the position information tothe remote device via the communication interface.

Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromthe following detailed description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, theprinciples of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be readily understood by the following detaileddescription in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein likereference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a location monitoring system according toone embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a mobile device according to oneembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of location request processing according to oneembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of location monitoring processing according toone embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of power managed position monitoring accordingto one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of power managed position monitoring accordingto another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary diagram of dynamic threshold dependency.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to improved methods and systems for positionacquisition and/or monitoring. The position acquisition and/ormonitoring can be performed with improved intelligence so that dataacquisition, transmission and/or processing is reduced, which providesimproved power efficiency.

According to one embodiment of the invention, a portable positionacquisition apparatus can include one or more components that have alow-power state which can be used to reduce power consumption of theposition acquisition apparatus. According to another aspect of theinvention, the position acquisition can be performed dependent on one ormore of motion information, at least one battery level characteristic ofa battery, and a change in position. According to still another aspectof the invention, the acquired position information can be transmittedto a remote device (e.g., central server) dependent on one or more ofmotion information, at least one battery level characteristic of abattery, and a change in position. According to still yet another aspectof the invention, a portable, battery-powered position acquisitionapparatus is used to acquire position information and a solar panelprovides electrical charge to its battery.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention.However, it will become obvious to those skilled in the art that theinvention may be practiced without these specific details. Thedescription and representation herein are the common meanings used bythose experienced or skilled in the art to most effectively convey thesubstance of their work to others skilled in the art. In otherinstances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuitryhave not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuringaspects of the present invention.

Reference herein to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connectionwith the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of theinvention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in variousplaces in the specification are not necessarily all referring to thesame embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutuallyexclusive of other embodiments. Further, the order of blocks in processflowcharts or diagrams representing one or more embodiments of theinvention do not inherently indicate any particular order nor imply anylimitations in the invention.

Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to FIGS.1–7. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that thedetailed description given herein with respect to these figures is forexplanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limitedembodiments.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a location monitoring system 100 accordingto one embodiment of the invention. The location monitoring system 100operates to monitor the location of mobile devices using a GlobalPositioning System (GPS). The location monitoring system 100 includesone or more mobile devices 102. The mobile devices 102 can receiveposition information from a GPS satellite 104. The mobile devices 102also communicate through a wireless link to a base station 106. The basestation 106 in turn can couple to a location monitoring server 108through a public network 110. As an example, the public network 110 caninclude the Internet, a wide area network (WAN), or a local area network(LAN). The location monitoring server 108 typically couples to alocation database 112 which serves to store location information for themobile devices 102.

The location monitoring system 100 also permits a viewer machine 114 tointeract with the location monitoring server 108 through the publicnetwork 110. In this regard, a user of the viewer machine 114 is able tointeract with the location monitoring server 108 to retrieve thelocation (or position) information for one or more of the mobile devices102 using the location data stored in the location database 112.Typically, such location information that is retrieved from the locationdatabase 112 is forwarded from the location monitoring server 108through the public network 110 to the viewer machine 114 where it can bereviewed by the user of the viewer machine 114. As one example, theviewer machine 114 can be a computer, such as a personal computer. Notethat the term viewer machine 114 is used in a general sense. In otherwords, the process of accessing location information at the viewermachine 114 is not limited to visual viewing by way of a screen display.For example, a user can review (receive) such information through audiomeans (e.g., voice).

Since the mobile devices 102 are mobile in nature, and thus batterypowered, the tracking of the location of the mobile devices 102 canimpose a power consumption difficulty for the mobile devices 102. Eachtime one of the mobile devices 102 captures and forwards its location tothe location monitoring server 108, electronic charge from its batteryis consumed for such location monitoring purposes. Hence, although thelocation monitoring system 100 desires to monitor the location of themobile devices 102 on a frequent basis (e.g., at all times, limitedtimes, periodically, on-demand), the mobile devices 102 themselvesshould not be unduly burdened with respect to power consumption for suchpurposes. According to one aspect of the invention, the mobile devices102 operate to conserve power consumption while still permittingconsistent location monitoring.

The mobile devices 102 are typically hand-held devices that operateunder battery control. The mobile devices 102 incorporate locationdetection circuitry but can also include other circuitry to supportother functions associated with the mobile devices 102. For example, themobile devices 102 can further operate as cameras, cellular phones,portable digital assistants (PDAs), or portable computers.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a mobile device 200 according toone embodiment of the invention. The mobile device 200 is, for example,suitable for use as the mobile device 102 illustrated in FIG. 1.

The mobile device 200 includes a controller 202 that controls theoverall operation of the mobile device. The mobile device 200 providesat least location acquisition circuitry but may also include voicecommunication circuitry and/or data communication circuitry. Voicecommunication circuitry is typically found in mobile devices thatoperate as mobile telephones. The data communications are typicallyprovided by mobile devices that operate to permit wireless data transferto and from the mobile device. As shown in FIG. 2, the mobile device 200includes circuitry for monitoring its location (or position). Althoughnot shown in FIG. 2, additional circuitry, such as for voice or datacommunication or data processing, can be provided within the mobiledevice 200.

In one embodiment, the location acquisition circuitry of the mobiledevice 200 includes a GPS receiver 204. The GPS receiver 204 is utilizedto receive GPS signals that are sent by a GPS satellite (such as the GPSsatellite 104 illustrated in FIG. 1). The GPS receiver 204 can becontrolled by the controller 202 to determine when a mobile device 200should be receiving GPS information. When the GPS receiver 204 receivesthe GPS information (e.g., signals received to determine pseudo ranges)from the GPS satellite, the GPS information is typically processed bythe controller 202 to produce location information. The locationinformation is then stored by the controller 202 to a position storageunit 206. The position storage unit 206 can be a data storage device(e.g., RAM or ROM). As examples, the data storage device can be aregister, semiconductor data storage, optical data storage, or magneticdata storage. It should be noted that the GPS receiver 204 can, moregenerally, be considered a position detection unit.

The mobile device 200 is powered by a battery 208 that is typicallyrechargeable. A motion monitoring unit 210 is also provided in themobile device 200. The motion monitoring unit 210 couples to thecontroller 202 to provide motion information to the controller 202. Themotion information is able to be determined based on one or a pluralityof criteria that are monitored at the mobile device via the motionmonitoring unit 210. Examples of such criteria include: acceleration,vibration, force, speed, and direction.

The motion monitoring unit 210 can be formed or constructed in a numberof ways. In one embodiment, the motion monitoring unit 210 uses amicro-machined structure to sense motion. Accelerometers are known inthe art and suitable for use as the motion monitoring unit 210. See,e.g., Dinsmore sensors available from Robson Company, Inc. of Erie, Pa.Various other types of sensors besides accelerometers can beadditionally or alternatively used in sensing the criteria (e.g.,vibration, force, speed, and direction) used in determining motion. Forparticularly low power designs, the one or more sensors used can belargely mechanical.

In one embodiment, by reducing the frequency at which the GPS receiver204 is required to request, receive and resolve GPS information, themobile device 200 is able to save power and thus extend the useful lifeof the battery 208. Further, the reduction in use of the GPS receiver204 also operates to reduce the demands on wireless network bandwidth intransmitting and managing such location information.

In another embodiment, the motion monitoring unit 210 enables the GPSreceiver 204 to remain in a low-power state (such as a sleep state)until an updated location for the mobile device 200 is needed. In otherwords, the motion monitoring unit 210 can monitor the motion of themobile device 200 such that if only minimal motion of the mobile device200 has been detected since the last location of the mobile device 200was obtained utilizing the GPS receiver 204, then the controller 202 canassume (e.g., estimate) that the location of the mobile device 200 issubstantially the same and thus need not wake-up (i.e., transition tonormal power state) the GPS receiver 204 to acquire and process new GPSinformation. As a result, the GPS receiver 204 can remain in itslow-power state and the controller 202 need not perform computations toresolve the GPS information to location information.

The mobile device 200 also includes a communication interface 212 and aRF transceiver 214. The communication interface 212 and the RFtransceiver 214 enable the mobile device 200 to communicate with acentral station, such as the base station 106 illustrated in FIG. 1.Hence, the mobile device 200 is able to wirelessly communicate with thebase station 106 to provide location information to the base station106, which then forwards the location information to the locationmonitoring server 108 for storage.

In general, the motion monitoring unit 210 serves to provide motioninformation to the controller 202. The motion information can be merelya control signal from the motion monitoring unit 210, or morecomplicated signals or data (e.g., position). Processing of the motioninformation can be performed at the controller 202, though processingcould have additionally or alternatively have been performed at themotion monitoring unit 210. In any case, in one embodiment, the motioninformation can be used by the controller 202 to determine the degree ofmotion. For example, the controller 202 can measure the relative motionof the mobile device 200, such as with respect to a previous position.As another example, the motion monitoring unit 210 and/or the controller202 can accumulate the motion of the mobile device 200 with respect to aspecific previous position or status.

In one embodiment, the motion monitoring unit 210 or the controller 202can use more than one type of criteria to identify the motion of themobile device 200. For example, both the acceleration and speedinformation across a duration of time can be used to determine thedistance the mobile device 200 has traveled. In yet another example, thedistance the mobile device 200 has traveled can incorporate directioninformation. Just to illustrate, assume the mobile device 200 hastraveled north at a constant speed for 10 meters and then changes 180degrees and traveled south at the same speed for 10 meters. The mobiledevice 200 can sense different types of motion, e.g., speed and changeof direction. The motion monitoring unit 210 and/or the controller 202can perform calculations to determine whether the mobile device 200 hasany net movement.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of location request processing 300 according toone embodiment of the invention. The location request processing 300 is,for example, performed by a mobile device, such as the mobile device 102illustrated in FIG. 1 or the mobile device 200 illustrated in FIG. 2.

The location request processing 300 begins with a decision 302 thatdetermines whether a location request has been received from arequestor. When the decision 302 determines that a location request hasnot yet been received, the location request processing 302 awaits such arequest. When the decision 302 determines that a location request hasbeen received, then motion information for the mobile device is obtained304. For example, the motion information can be obtained from the motionmonitoring unit 210 illustrated in FIG. 2. The motion information can,for example, pertain to an accumulation of motion during a time periodor can pertain to a maximum motion during a time period. Motion refersto one or a combination of physical conditions on a mobile device, suchas acceleration, velocity, force, vibration, etc.

Next, a decision 306 determines whether the motion is greater than athreshold amount. When the decision 306 determines that the motion isgreater than a threshold amount, then the GPS receiver of the mobiledevice is powered-up 308. A current location for the mobile device isthen determined 310 using the GPS receiver. Typically, the GPS receiverwill obtain GPS information and a controller (or processor) will processthe GPS information to produce a current location (or position). Afterthe current location has been determined 310, the GPS receiver can bepowered-down 312. Here, the GPS receiver is returned to a low-powerstate so as to conserve power. As an example, the low-power state (orpowered-down state) can be a sleep mode or it can be a disabled mode.The current location is then saved 314. As an example, the currentlocation can be saved 314 to a local storage unit, such as the positionstorage unit 206 illustrated in FIG. 2. The current location can betransmitted 316 to an appropriate destination. Typically, the currentlocation would be transmitted to a location monitoring server (e.g.,location monitoring server 108), and then transmitted as a datacommunication to the requester, if the requestor is a remote requestor.

The current location could be transmitted separately or as a group or abatch of locations. For example, the mobile device could store thecurrent locations and the time for such locations in the positionstorage unit and then transmit a group of such locations to the locationmonitoring server (e.g., location monitoring server 108) when needed,when convenient or when the position storage unit is nearly full. Here,the position storage unit is able to provide buffering of the locations.Alternatively or additionally, the current location could be sent to therequestor's device. Further, the current location could also be sent ina background mode if the mobile device supports other communications,for example, Short Message Service (SMS) messaging or voicecommunications.

On the other hand, when the decision 306 determines that the motion isnot greater than the threshold, then the last location for the mobiledevice is retrieved 318. Typically, the last location would be retrievedfrom the local storage unit, such as the position storage unit 206illustrated in FIG. 2. The current location for the mobile device isthen set 320 to the last location. In other words, the current locationis set to be the same as the previous location for the mobile device.Thereafter, the operation 316 can be performed to transmit the currentlocation to the location monitoring server and/or the requestor.

Additionally, if desired, the use of a prior location or last locationas the current location could be further restricted such that a locationcould time-out. For example, if it has been more than some time duration(e.g. 24 hours) since a last location was obtained using the GPSreceiver, such location could be deemed “stale”. Then the requestprocessing 300 could activate the GPS receiver and determine a currentlocation with operations 308–316 even though the motion for the mobiledevice has not exceeded the threshold.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of location monitoring processing 400 accordingto one embodiment of the invention. The location monitoring processing400 begins with a decision 402 that determines whether a timer hasexpired. When the decision 402 determines that the timer has not yetexpired, then the location monitoring processing 400 awaits such anevent. In other words, the location monitor processing 400 is invoked ona periodic basis to check the location for a mobile device.Alternatively, the location monitor processing 400 could be invoked onan event basis other than time, such as a motion event, though thisembodiment is discussed with reference to a timer event.

When the decision 402 determines that a timer event has occurred, thenmotion information is obtained 404. The motion information can beaccumulated during an interval or merely a maximum motion indicationduring an interval, or some other motion criteria. A decision 406 thendetermines whether the motion is greater than a threshold. When thedecision 406 determines that the motion is greater than the threshold,the GPS receiver is powered-up 408. Then, the current location isdetermined 410 using the GPS receiver. After the current location hasbeen determined 410, the GPS receiver is powered-down 412. The currentlocation is saved 414. Alternatively, when the decision 406 determinesthat the motion is not greater than the threshold, then the operations408–414 are bypassed such that the motion information is utilized toavoid having to again determine a location when the amount of movementhas been insufficient to cause a substantial change in location. Inwhich case, power consumption by the GPS receiver and the processing oflocation information is able to be substantially reduced such thatbattery life is prolonged. After the operation 414, or its beingbypassed, the location monitor processing 400 is complete and ends.

It should be noted that the determination of the current location atoperation 410 could utilize simply GPS information received from the GPSreceiver, or need not fully resolve the location of the mobile device(e.g., pseudo ranges) or some partially processed variant therefrom.

The location monitor processing 400 is suitable for around-the-clocktype monitoring of the location of a mobile device. The motion criteriaand the low power maintenance of the GPS receiver allow the mobiledevice to significantly reduce its power consumption while stillproviding constant location monitoring. The location monitor processing400 is also suitable for use in having the mobile device “push” itslocation when it has changed (even though not being requested by arequester). For example, the mobile device could “push” its locationwhen a threshold condition is exceeded.

Additional power management approaches can be utilized in conjunction orin combination with those for the use of the GPS receiver. Stillfurther, in addition to utilizing a low-power state for the GPS receiverand the use of motion information, other techniques can be utilized. Forexample, with respect to FIG. 4, if periodically polled, the pollingfrequency can be decreased if the battery charge is deemed low. Forexample, if the battery for the mobile device has gotten rather low, itneeds recharged. However, since the battery is already low, the pollingfrequency could be decreased such that the lifetime of the battery canbe extended in the event that the battery is not recharged promptly. Inone embodiment, the duration of a timer can be extended to decrease thepooling frequency. Likewise, the threshold level could be varieddepending on battery level. Further, the amount of processing performedwith respect to the GPS information received from the GPS receiverand/or its resolution can be minimally processed at the mobile device tosave power. Also, in the event that the location information needs to befurther processed, such processing could be performed at a centralizedor remote site such as the location monitoring server. Also, as notedabove, the sending of the location data can be done more efficiently,such as in groups or batches, or in a background mode. Still further,the polling frequency could be increased to gather more locationinformation if the motion information indicates that the mobile deviceis undergoing a high degree of motion.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of power managed position monitoring 500according to one embodiment of the invention. The power managed positionmonitoring 500 can, for example, be performed by the mobile device 200shown in FIG. 2, which can be used as a position monitoring apparatus.

The power managed position monitoring 500 begins with a decision 502that determines whether a motion event has occurred. When the decision502 determines that a motion event has not occurred, a decision 504determines whether a time event has occurred. When the decision 504determines that a time event has not occurred, then the power managedposition monitoring 500 returns to repeat the decision 502 andsubsequent operations. In other words, the power managed positionmonitoring 500 is effectively invoked when a motion event has occurredor a time event has occurred. In one implementation, the time event canbe set to a lengthy delay such as 24 hours so that a time event occursevery 24 hours which guarantees that one position will be obtained on a24 hour basis regardless of motion. In one implementation, the motionevent is triggered based on a threshold level. The threshold level canbe dynamically changed or selected based on various conditions.

When the decision 502 determines that a motion event has occurred orwhen the decision 504 determines that a time event has occurred, thepositioning detection unit of the position monitoring apparatus isactivated 506. Then, using a position detection unit, positioninformation is acquired 508. Thereafter, the position detection unit isdeactivated 510. Here, in order to conserve power, the positiondetection unit remains inactive, which can pertain to powered-off,disabled, sleep, hibernate, or other low power mode. It is only whenposition information is to be acquired that the position detection unitis activated.

Next, a decision 512 determines whether a substantial position changehas occurred. Here, the position information that has been acquired 508is compared to a prior position information that was previouslyacquired. When the difference in position indicates that there has beenno substantial position change, then a decision 514 determines whether atime event has occurred. Here, the time event can provide a fail safesuch that a position is obtained once during the period provided by thetime event regardless of change in position. Here, the time event can bethe same time event or a different time event than that used with thedecision 504. When the decision 514 determines that a time event has notoccurred, then the power managed position monitoring 500 returns torepeat the decision 502 and subsequent operations.

On the other hand, when the decision 512 determines that a substantialposition change has occurred or when the decision 514 determines that atime event has occurred, then additional processing is carried out totransmit the position information to a remote device. More particularly,a communication module of the position monitoring apparatus is activated516. Then, the position information is transmitted 518 to a remotedevice. Typically, the remote device provides centralized storage andprocessing for position information pertaining to a plurality ofposition monitoring apparatuses. After the position information has beentransmitted 518, the communication module is deactivated 520. Here, inorder to conserve power, the communication module remains inactive,which can pertain to powered-off, disabled, sleep, hibernate, or otherlow power mode. It is only when position information is to betransmitted (or received) from a remote device that the communicationmodule is activated. Following the operation 520, the power managedposition monitoring 500 returns to repeat the decision 502 andsubsequent operations so that subsequent motion events and time eventscan be similarly processed.

The power managed position monitoring 500 indicates that the positiondetection unit and the communication module of the position monitoringapparatus can be maintained in a low-power state until such circuitry isneeded. This results in a substantial savings in power consumption bythe position monitoring apparatus. Further, the position monitoringapparatus is thus suitable for long term, constant (e.g., 24/7) positionmonitoring. Additionally, should the position monitoring apparatusinclude a controller, the controller can also be set to a low-powerstate when position information is not being acquired or transmitted. Insuch a low-power state, the controller might still be able to monitorfor motion events and time events and might also be capable ofmonitoring, or even waking itself up, when a request from a remotedevice is received.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of power managed position monitoring 600according to another embodiment of the invention. The power managedposition monitoring 600 is, for example, performed by the positionmonitoring apparatus 200 shown in FIG. 2.

The power managed position monitoring 600 obtains 602 a motionindication. The motion indication pertains to motion that the positionmonitoring apparatus has undergone. For example, the motion indicationmight indicate a maximum motion that has occurred during a time periodor since last evaluated, or an accumulation of motion that has occurredduring the time period or since last evaluated. The motion indicationmight pertain to an acceleration, velocity, vibration and the like. Inaddition, a battery level indication is obtained 604. The battery levelindication might, for example, pertain to or depend on a charge level ofthe battery or a voltage level of the battery. Next, a threshold levelis obtained 606 based on at least the battery level indication. Here,the threshold level to be utilized is variable depending upon at leastthe battery level indication.

A decision 608 determines whether the motion indication is greater thanthe threshold level. When the decision 608 determines that the motionindication is greater than the threshold level, the position informationis acquired 610. The position information pertains to the positionmonitoring apparatus. Then, the position information is transmitted 612to a remote device. Typically, the remote device provides centralizedstorage and processing for position information pertaining to aplurality of position monitoring apparatuses.

Following the operation 612, as well as following the decision 608 whenthe motion indication does not exceed the threshold level, a delayedperiod is obtained 614. The delay period can be static or dynamic. Inother words, the delay period can be fixed or the delay period can varydepending upon other considerations. In one implementation, the delayperiod can be varied depending upon the battery level indication. Forexample, if the battery level indication indicates that the batterycharge is low, the delay period can be increased so as to prolong theability of the position monitoring apparatus to monitor its position.Once the delay period is obtained 614, the power managed positionmonitoring 600 delays 616 for the delay period. During the delay periodthe various components, modules, units or circuitry of the positionmonitoring apparatus can be placed in a low power state so as topreserve power during the delay period. After the delay period, thepower managed position monitoring 600 returns to repeat the operation602 and subsequent operations so that additional position informationcan be acquired and transmitted as appropriate.

In this embodiment, the threshold level is based on at least the batterylevel indication. As the battery level indication indicates that thecharge of the battery is low, the threshold level for the motionindication comparison can be increased so that position information isacquired and transmitted less frequently, thereby conserving power ofthe battery that has limited available charge.

Although the power managed position monitoring 600 is capable ofaltering the threshold level based on the battery level indication aswell as capable of altering the delay period based on the battery levelindication or other considerations, it should be understood that, moregenerally, that position monitoring can be power managed using one orboth of threshold level adjustment and delay period adjustment. Forexample, the power managed position monitoring 600 could use a staticthreshold level (e.g., static with respect to battery level) and alterthe delay period based on the battery level indication.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary diagram of dynamic threshold dependency700. The dynamic threshold dependency pertains to a threshold utilizedby the position monitoring apparatus. For example, the threshold can bea degree of motion or an amount of time. For example, the degree ofmotion can pertain to a motion threshold utilized in the decision 608 ofthe power managed position monitoring 600 shown in FIG. 6, and theamount of time can pertain to a time threshold utilized by the operation614 of the power managed position monitoring 600 shown in FIG. 6. Asanother example, the degree of motion can be used with the motion eventat the decision 502 of the power managed position monitoring 500 shownin FIG. 5, and the time events at the decisions 504 and 514 of the powermanaged position monitoring 500 shown in FIG. 5.

In any case, the thresholds can vary or depend upon one or more variousconsiderations. These considerations include, as illustrated in FIG. 7,one or a combination of position, server configuration, time,resolution, battery level, service level, interested partyconfiguration, and network availability.

The threshold can vary depending upon the position of the positionmonitoring apparatus. Consequently, position information could beacquired more often in some positions and less often in other positions.For example, a certain part of town where the layout is quitecomplicated, with many closely-spaced one-way streets, might requiremore frequent acquisition of position information. However, a rural areamay lead to less frequent acquisition of position information.

The server configuration can pertain to that configuration of a remotedevice (e.g., remote server) that provides centralized storage andmanagement of position information of many position monitoringapparatuses. Here, the server configuration can control the one or morethresholds utilized so that the position information is obtained inaccordance with the server configuration. Although the applications canvary, one example is that a server may want to set limits on positionacquisition or transmission of remote devices.

The thresholds can also vary with time. For example, during peak useperiods of the remote device, the thresholds can be higher so that lessposition information is acquired. This can be because during peak useperiods, the bandwidth becomes limited. Also, power consumption istypically higher during peak use. This can be done by increasing thethresholds during peak time to discourage usage. In contrast, duringnon-peak use periods, the thresholds can be set lower. From a differentperspective, the peak use can refer to the peak use of the positionmonitoring apparatus. Then, during certain period of time, if a userdesires more frequent position information, then the thresholds can belower during those periods so that more position information isacquired.

A resolution for the position information can be set by a remote userthrough the remote server and/or can be set directly on the positionmonitoring apparatus. For example, the position monitoring apparatus canpermit a user to set a resolution, such as low, medium or highresolution. Depending upon the type of resolution being selected, thethresholds can vary so that the desired resolution can be achieved.

The battery level can affect the thresholds as noted above.

Thresholds can be changed according to the type of subscriptions orservice charges. For example, the system providing the capabilities ofthe location monitoring services may provide different service levelsfor the users of the system. In which case, the different service levelscan signal different threshold levels. This allows those users that haveagreed to utilize more expensive service levels to obtain improved, highend or better resolution position information.

Interested parties can interact with the remote device or server througha web interface. As such, interested parties can themselves requestconfiguration or monitoring capabilities through the web interface. Theinterested party can change configurations to affect the thresholdlevels.

Still further, network availability can affect the threshold levels. Forexample, when network availability is low, the threshold levels can beincreased. On the other hand, when network availability is high, thethreshold levels could be decreased.

In one embodiment, the mobile device (mobile communication device) caninclude a solar panel. The solar panel can provide electrical power forthe mobile device. The solar panel can thus charge a battery used topower the mobile device and/or itself power the mobile device. When themobile device is affixed to a person to be monitored, the solar panelcan remain at least partially exposed to the outside environment so asto be able to receive light. The solar panel can be integrated with thehousing of the mobile device or can be separate and coupled to themobile device via one or more wires (e.g., a cable).

The present invention has described one or more GPS devices as toidentify a location. However, the present invention is not limited tousing GPS devices. In certain situations, other wireless or mobiledevices can also serve as location-designating devices or positiondetection units, such as devices based on GSM technologies, Bluetooth orWi-Fi technologies. Through the techniques of triangulation, thesedevices can also designate a location. Such triangulation techniquesshould be known to those skilled in the art.

As noted above, the location monitoring provided through used of themobile devices can be used to monitor location of objects. The objectswhose location is being monitored can vary with application. Examples ofobjects that can be monitored include people, animals (e.g., pets),articles (e.g., packages, vehicles, vessels), or other assets.

A number of embodiments have been described based on a mobile device.Generally speaking, the mobile device can be a cell phone, a personaldigital assistant, a pager, camera, a personal computer or other deviceswith communication capabilities. The form factor of the mobile devicecan be small, such as wearable, pager sized or smaller, or pocket sized.Additional information on mobile devices is provided in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/397,640, filed concurrently herewith, andentitled “INEXPENSIVE POSITION SENSOR,” which is hereby incorporatedherein by reference.

The above-described systems, devices, methods and processes can be usedtogether with other aspects of a monitoring system, including thevarious aspects described in: (i) U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 60/444,198, filed Jan. 30, 2003, and entitled “SYSTEM, METHOD ANDAPPARATUS FOR ACQUIRING, PRESENTING, MONITORING, DELIVERING, MANAGINGAND USING STATUS INFORMATION,” which is hereby incorporated herein byreference; (ii) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/418,491,filed Oct. 15, 2002, and entitled “SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS FORACQUIRING, PRESENTING, MONITORING, DELIVERING, MANAGING AND USING STATUSINFORMATION,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference; (iii)U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/404,645, filed Aug. 19, 2002,and entitled “SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ACQUIRING, PRESENTING,MONITORING, DELIVERING, MANAGING AND USING POSITION AND OTHERINFORMATION,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference; and (iv)U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/375,998, filed Apr. 24, 2002,and entitled “SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ACQUIRING, PRESENTING,MANAGING AND USING POSITION INFORMATION,” which is hereby incorporatedherein by reference.

The various embodiments, implementations, features and aspects of theinvention noted above (including those incorporated by reference) can becombined in various ways or used separately. Those skilled in the artwill understand from the description that the invention can be equallyapplied to or used in other various different settings with respect tovarious combinations, embodiments, implementations or features providedin the description herein.

The invention can be implemented in software, hardware or a combinationof hardware and software. The invention, or at least certain softwareportions of the invention, can also be embodied as computer readablecode on a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium is anydata storage device that can store data which can thereafter be read bya computer system. Examples of the computer readable medium includeread-only memory, random-access memory, CD-ROMs, magnetic tape, opticaldata storage devices, and carrier waves. The computer readable mediumcan also be distributed over network-coupled computer systems so thatthe computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributedfashion.

The advantages of the invention are numerous. Different embodiments orimplementations may yield different advantages. One advantage of theinvention is that position information can be acquired in a powerefficient manner. Another advantage of the invention is that positionmonitoring can be achieved over an extended period. Still anotheradvantage of the invention is that position information of objects beingmonitored can be centrally maintained and available through access to awebsite (e.g., monitoring server). Yet another advantage of theinvention is that position monitoring apparatus can be inexpensive andhave a small form factor, and thus be suitable for many uses.

The many features and advantages of the present invention are apparentfrom the written description, and thus it is intended by the appendedclaims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention.Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur tothose skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention tothe exact construction and operation as illustrated and described.Hence, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to asfalling within the scope of the invention.

1. A portable position acquisition apparatus, comprising: a positiondetection unit that detects position information pertaining to saidposition acquisition apparatus; a memory that stores the positioninformation; a motion monitoring unit that monitors motion of saidposition acquisition apparatus; and a controller operatively connectedto said position detection unit, said memory and said motion monitoringunit, said controller determines how frequent the position informationis reacquired by said position detection unit based on at least themotion identified by said motion monitoring unit as compared to a firstthreshold amount, the first threshold amount being adjustable while orafter said position acquisition apparatus is placed in use by aninterested party.
 2. A portable position acquisition apparatus asrecited in claim 1, wherein said position detection unit has at least alow-power state and a normal power state, and wherein said positiondetection unit remains in the low-power state while position informationis not being acquired.
 3. A portable position acquisition apparatus asrecited in claim 1, wherein said position acquisition apparatus furthercomprises a battery for providing power to said position acquisitionapparatus.
 4. A portable position acquisition apparatus as recited inclaim 3, wherein said position detection unit has at least a low-powerstate and a normal power state, and wherein said position detection unitremains in the low power state while position information is not beingacquired, whereby power of the battery is conserved when said positiondetection unit is in the low-power state.
 5. A portable positionacquisition apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said positionacquisition apparatus further comprises: a communication interface thatenables said position acquisition apparatus to transmit data to a remotedevice via a wireless channel.
 6. A portable position acquisitionapparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein the data being transmittedincludes at least the position information.
 7. A portable positionacquisition apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein said communicationinterface transmits the position information to the remote device onlywhen the position information differs from prior position information byat least a second threshold amount.
 8. A portable position acquisitionapparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein the second threshold amount isuser configurable or dynamic based on a condition of said positionacquisition apparatus.
 9. A portable position acquisition apparatus asrecited in claim 5, wherein said communication interface has at least anormal power state and a low-power state, and wherein, when the positioninformation differs from prior position information by at least a secondthreshold amount, said communication interface transitions to the normalpower state and then transmits the position information to the remotedevice.
 10. A portable position acquisition apparatus as recited inclaim 9, wherein after said communication interface transmits theposition information to the remote device, said communication interfacetransitions to the low-power state.
 11. A portable position acquisitionapparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein said position detection unit isdisabled or placed in a sleep mode when in the low-power state.
 12. Aportable position acquisition apparatus as recited in claim 1, whereinsaid position acquisition apparatus further comprises: a battery forproviding power to said position acquisition apparatus, and wherein saidcontroller determines how frequent the position information isreacquired by said position detection unit based on at least both themotion identified by said motion monitoring unit and a battery levelcharacteristic of said battery.
 13. A portable position acquisitionapparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the first threshold amount isdependent on at least one setting or condition associated with saidposition acquisition apparatus other than motion.
 14. A portableposition acquisition apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein saidmotion monitoring unit comprises a micro-machined motion indicator. 15.A portable position acquisition apparatus as recited in claim 13,wherein said motion monitoring unit comprises a mechanical device.
 16. Aportable position acquisition apparatus as recited in claim 1, whereinsaid portable position acquisition apparatus is powered by a battery,and wherein said portable position acquisition apparatus furthercomprises a solar panel that provides electrical change to said portableposition acquisition apparatus.
 17. A portable position acquisitionapparatus as recited in claim 16, wherein said solar panel provideselectrical charge to said battery.
 18. A portable position acquisitionapparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said position acquisitionapparatus further comprises: a communication interface that enables saidposition acquisition apparatus to transmit data to a remote device via awireless channel, wherein the position information is processed by saidcontroller to produce processed position information, and wherein theprocessed position information is transmitted to the remote device 10said communication interface.
 19. A portable position acquisitionapparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the motion identified by saidmotion monitoring unit includes at least one of an accelerationindication, a velocity indication and a vibration indication.
 20. Aportable position acquisition apparatus as recited in claim 1, whereinsaid position detection unit comprises a GPS receiver.
 21. A portableposition acquisition apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein saidposition detection unit is one or more of wearable, pager sized orsmaller, and pocket sized.
 22. A portable position acquisitionapparatus, comprising: a position detection unit that detects positioninformation pertaining to a position of said position acquisitionapparatus; a memory that stores the position information; acommunication interface that enables said position acquisition apparatusto transmit the position information to a remote device; and acontroller operatively connected to said position detection unit, saidmemory and said communication interface, said controller determineswhether the position information acquired by said position detectionunit is to be transmitted to the remote device via said communicationinterface based on whether the position differs from a prior position byat least a threshold amount that is more than just the fact that theapparatus is moving, wherein said communication interface has at least anormal power state and a low-power state, and wherein, when the positiondiffers from the prior position by at least the threshold amount, saidcommunication interface transitions to the normal power state and thentransmits the position information to the remote device.
 23. A portableposition acquisition apparatus as recited in claim 22, wherein the priorposition information is previously transmitted position information. 24.A portable position acquisition apparatus as recited in claim 22,wherein the threshold amount is user configurable or dynamic based on acondition of said position acquisition apparatus.
 25. A portableposition acquisition apparatus as recited in claim 22, wherein aftersaid communication interface transmits the position information to theremote device, said communication interface transitions to the low-powerstate.
 26. A portable position acquisition apparatus as recited in claim22, wherein said position detection unit is disabled or placed in asleep mode when in the low-power state.
 27. A portable positionacquisition apparatus, comprising: a battery for providing power to saidposition acquisition apparatus; a solar panel operatively connected tosaid battery to provide electrical change to said battery; a positiondetection unit that detects position information pertaining to saidposition acquisition apparatus; a memory that stores the positioninformation; a communication interface that enables said positionacquisition apparatus to transmit the position information to a remotedevice; and a controller operatively connected said position detectionunit, said memory and said communication interface, said controllercontrols acquisition of the position information via said positiondetection unit in accordance with a first threshold as well astransmission of the position information to the remote device via saidcommunication interface in accordance with a second threshold.
 28. Aportable position acquisition apparatus as recited in claim 27, whereinat least one of the first and second thresholds is configurable ordynamic.
 29. A portable position acquisition apparatus as recited inclaim 27, wherein at least one of the first and second thresholds isconfigurable or dynamic based on one or a combination of position,server configuration, time, resolution, battery level, service level,interested party configuration, and network availability.